Tuesday, 26 January 2016

How to Dance with a Duke (Ugly Ducklings #1) by Manda Collins

I was so excited about this book! A bluestocking egyptologist lady (for the sake of the enjoyment of this historical romance I set aside my disgust for the imperialistic mindset of the British Empire's subjects over the rest of the world), an injured war hero Duke, a mystery, a curse, missing people, murder!

Sadly the hero and heroine had zero chemistry

They only paid the minimum thought to propriety and the societal expectations of the time, what with kissing in public parks, slipping away together in the middle of a musical soirée, etc..

Everything they did was done regardless of what was established about their personalities. They merely did what was convenient to the author to advance the plot.

They'd constantly contradicted their convictions, aspects of their character, and even things they had said mere chapters before simply because it would help the plot along.

The conflicts that would arise regarding their relationship were contrived and nonsensical.

The supporting characters weren't fleshed out, and the mystery was easily solved.

I got tired of reading about the characters acting out of character for the sake of the plot, hence not having finished it.